And there it gleamed afar, distinguishable on the horizon as a dark band.It sent forth cold waves, spreading nearer, nearer, and finally seeming to embrace half the entire surface of the earth.This was that section of its course where the river, hitherto confined by the rapids, finally makes its own away and, roaring like the sea, rushes on at will; where the islands, flung into its midst, have pressed it farther from their shores, and its waves have spread widely over the earth, encountering neither cliffs nor hills.The Cossacks, alighting from their horses, entered the ferry-boat, and after a three hours'
sail reached the shores of the island of Khortitz, where at that time stood the Setch, which so often changed its situation.
A throng of people hastened to the shore with boats.The Cossacks arranged the horses' trappings.Taras assumed a stately air, pulled his belt tighter, and proudly stroked his moustache.His sons also inspected themselves from head to foot, with some apprehension and an undefined feeling of satisfaction; and all set out together for the suburb, which was half a verst from the Setch.On their arrival, they were deafened by the clang of fifty blacksmiths' hammers beating upon twenty-five anvils sunk in the earth.Stout tanners seated beneath awnings were scraping ox-hides with their strong hands; shop-keepers sat in their booths, with piles of flints, steels, and powder before them; Armenians spread out their rich handkerchiefs; Tatars turned their kabobs upon spits; a Jew, with his head thrust forward, was filtering some corn-brandy from a cask.But the first man they encountered was a Zaporozhetz[1] who was sleeping in the very middle of the road with legs and arms outstretched.Taras Bulba could not refrain from halting to admire him."How splendidly developed he is;phew, what a magnificent figure!" he said, stopping his horse.It was, in fact, a striking picture.This Zaporozhetz had stretched himself out in the road like a lion; his scalp-lock, thrown proudly behind him, extended over upwards of a foot of ground; his trousers of rich red cloth were spotted with tar, to show his utter disdain for them.
Having admired to his heart's content, Bulba passed on through the narrow street, crowded with mechanics exercising their trades, and with people of all nationalities who thronged this suburb of the Setch, resembling a fair, and fed and clothed the Setch itself, which knew only how to revel and burn powder.
[1] Sometimes written Zaporovian.
At length they left the suburb behind them, and perceived some scattered kurens[2], covered with turf, or in Tatar fashion with felt.
Some were furnished with cannon.Nowhere were any fences visible, or any of those low-roofed houses with verandahs supported upon low wooden pillars, such as were seen in the suburb.A low wall and a ditch, totally unguarded, betokened a terrible degree of recklessness.
Some sturdy Zaporozhtzi lying, pipe in mouth, in the very road, glanced indifferently at them, but never moved from their places.
Taras threaded his way carefully among them, with his sons, saying, "Good-day, gentles."--"Good-day to you," answered the Zaporozhtzi.
